Conveyer means for wheeled vehicles



G. L. RosEB'ooK 1,787,763

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 H/S ATTORNEY."

l, n wr.

Original Filed July 2, 1928 Jan 6, 1931.

^ CNVEYER MEANS FOR WHEELED VEHICLES hmz Jan 6, 1931. G. L RosEBRooK f1,787,763

CONVEYER MEANS FOR WHEELED VEHICLES Original Filed July 2, 1928 2Sheets-Sheet 2 F/g d WWWWl//WWWWMWWWWW/l/m E j INVENToR.

49 6m YN/v Rosas/Pook H/5 ATTORNEY.

@w11 :10E I' VVVing description of Patented Jan. 6, 1931 `ment vof avehicle along to provide means 'nectmg the load 'from theV chain atapredeinvial isi-#Ms4 ASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE-THRD TG AT FF ICE i yom? LYNNnosnseoox, or oAnLANn, ca LInonNrA, AssioNon, BY Dinner AND MESNE enAonL.

Jnvvnrr, or rrrnJMoNr,l oALrFonNIA,

AND -oNn-frninn aio-iraniana niii-ninnason,V on oANLANneALIroR-NIA;vx'cro y HnnMANsoN ernennen or sain vnnNnn nnnrfraNsoN, nnonesnn vrooNvnvnn arnANs 'son Wrrnnnnn VEHICLES originar application mee muy e,

The invention relates toa conveyor means particularly adapted foreiie'cting the moveaiixed path, as 1n my copending application, SerialNo, 289,772

'filed July 2, 1928, of which this application is a division.

An'ob `ect of the invention is to provide a means of the characterdescribed whichl is particularly arranoed for operative use in drawing avehicle along a curved path lying in a substantially horizontal'plane.

Another object of thelinvention is to provide' improved support andguiding means for a chain comprising `part of the means.

A further Yobject ofthe invention is to provide improvednieans forreleasably securing aload to the chain.

object of the `invention is A' kstill further y l for automaticallydiscontermined point in the path of movement of theload. Y l

The invention possessesrother objects and features ofk advantagasome ofwhich, with in the follow# l a preferred form of the invention which isillustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of thespecification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in theshowing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted withinthe scope ofthe'invention las set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view showing an installation of the chain in avehicle lservicing apparatus, parts of the structure being broken awayto disclose chain operating mechanism.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the apparatus `and a building housing thesame taken at the line 2-2 in Figure 1. f

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken oul the line 3-3 of Fig. Landparticularly disclos-l ingr a conveyor operating means of the device.Figure ,L1 is an end view of link of the chain in a guidewayl andsupport therefor, the latter being shown in transverse' section. Figure5 isa side view of the chain link shown in Figure 4.

building 12 having a 1928,` Serial No. 289,772. Divided and thisapplcatonkled Julyl 11, 192e. `serial No. 291,708. i

Figure 6 is a view taken on the line 6-6 in Figure 4f. K n

Figure 7 is a side view showing a drawbar engaged between the link shownin Figure 8 andthe axle of a vehicle. v Y

FigureA 8 isv a reduced view showing rthe draw-bar inkuse. I n Asherewith particularly disclosed, the chain of my invention isincorporated with vehicle servicing apparatus provided inr a floor 13providing a floorA space 111 terminating at a front line 15 thereof,which line as here shown is coincident with the Afront line of thebuilding'a'nd is straight, it ,being noted, however, that such is notessential. Path portions 16 and 17 are defined on thefloor 13, saidportions having both ends thereof terminating at the line 15.--Preferably, and as shown, the path Vportions 16 Vand 17 extend ingenera'lly'parallel adjacent relationsto each other whereby7 'adj acentends thereof make equal Vangles with the line '15. The path portions 16and 17 Vare of somewhat greater vwidththan is an automobile whereby sideclearance for working on ,an automobile is provided, and the common lineseparating the path portions is preferably dened by a partition 18having the larger portion thereof of glass and being supported by andbetween columns 19 of the building.

It will now be noted that the shape of the Y path portions 16 and 17 visdeterminedlargely by semi-circularparts, whereby the path portions aregenerally lJ-shaped andhave minimum degrees of curvature. f

Pairs of tracks 21 are provided for supportingv and guiding a vehicleduring its movement along the path portions 16 and 17.

he tracks 21 extend centrally through the path portions and providegrooves for the reception of the automobile wheels whereby a vehicle maybe steered -to follow a path portion as itis moved therealono.Certain'oor tions to provide pits f tracks, stringere and posts'arepreferably':.

tending from the bottom of the pits 22.` The formed ofy steel sectionswhereby a pit-space is .occupied to a minimum extent. A trough extendsalong the door at an innertrack of eachpair, and between the paii` oftracks, at allY parts of the:A path sections which lack a pit, thepurpose of this latter structure being hereinafter brought out.

`Disposed in front of the line 15k opposite a pair of-corresponding`ends of the'pathportions 16 and 17 is a turntable 26 of any suitablestructure and preferably ofrotation midway between the lines ofsaid'path portions whereby an automobile placed thereon by being runthereonto from one path portion will, when the turntable is rotatedthrough an angle of one hundredeighty degrees, be aligned with the otherfor movement thereto. In this manner, an automobile leaving either oneof the path portions at the turntable may be directed back into theother inv an extremely simple manner. f A

Various stations arek provided path yprntions at' Vwhich operations .arearranged along the different servicing to be performed.

These stations are coterminous and may overs lap whereltheservicingoperations to beperformed do not interfere. ,As shown, the stationsalong the outer path portion 16 relate chiefly to thecleaningoperations, while the stations along' the inner path portioninclude kished; I,

the vgreasing and oil changing operations. The exact order andpositioning ofthe stations is desirablyone by which the entire servicingprocess may be performed most eilia typical arrangement being'indicatedin Figure 1 in which stations means Vare provided for facilitatingV thework to be done thereat, such means not being shown,.hor-.

ever. As shown, stations l, B, S are indicated, the operations thereatbeing substan-- tially -as follows-A,-top washed; B,-

C,-chassis washed; l),-body washed; EW washed parts dried; F,-body andfenders polish-ed; G,`glass washed; HV-glass polmetal polished J,interior cleaned; K,kinspection; L,-touching up;

M,--top dressed; N,-bearings greased; 0,-

springs oiled; P,-greased and oiled parts oil changed R,-

Vfinal polish; and Sf-finalinspection.

Since the most efficient use of the structure and apparatus describedwillbe eifected if all of the automobiles being serviced at one time arecaused to advance at a constant rate `Vwhich; will give suihcient timefor the completion of each servicing operation at the difthe pathportions 16 and 17' operating mechanism 31 path portions,

haT ingits axis path portion plane and that ferent stations, poweroperated drag chains 28 are provided for effecting such control of themovement vof the automobiles. The chains 28are supported in guideways 29provided along and adjacent the innermost tracks 21, said guidewaysbeing mounted on the posts 24 and on'ja side ofthe trough 25 wherebythey extendv continuously .through the pits 22 and troughs 25. As shown,a chain is disposedy in a cellar or pit 32 providedbelow'the floor planeand generally in froiitof the line 15, and separate chainsrare providedfor the' different said chains being arranged to run in oppositedirections.

The ,guideways 29, it will now be noted, comprise inverted channels 33having opposed track strips 34 secured at .the lower edges of theirflanges; Thelinks 35 of a chain are formed with iiat and spaced sidemembers 36 connected by pins 3T whereby the chain may engage and` besupportedby sprocket wheels 38 which carry the chain at certain pointsthereof between thetracks and.y chain operating mechanism. Fixed oncertain of `pins 37, preferably those atthe ends of the links having thecarriages 39, Vwhereby an anti-'friction contact is provided between thelinks and the linner track strips. It is noted that each'chain 2SYoperates in a horizontalthe pins 37 thereof are vertical, such beingportions.- each carriage 39 plates 43 and 44 rel It willnow be notedthat is provided by securing' spectively to theupper and lower `linkside members 36. As shown, a spacer 45 is ydisposed between thesidemembers 36, and bolts 46 are engaged through this spacer, the sidemembers 36, and the plates 43 and 44. Mount-1r if ed in'and across theplate'43 are axles 4'? carryingthe wheels 4l at the opposite endsthereof. Each lowerV noted, extends laterally outwardly of the track 34thereat and toward the cooperating track. The forward edge of theextending plate portion is provided with a notch 4S for engagement withone end 49 of a draw-bar 51.

particularly shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Detent means are preferably provided for releasably retaining thedraw-bar in engagement with the axle 53 when the bar is op erativelydisposed. A spring pressed catch member 54 is here shown mounted on thedra-w bar 51 adjacent the hook 52 thereof for wheels 41 engaging thenecessary on account of the 'curvature of the vUshaped path carriageplate 44, it` is `cooperation.with saidhook to Ygri-p: theaxle. Themember` 54, :it .is .notedsis Iarranged to .berendercdinoperative'by andupon an upward swingingV of the draw-bar, yet maintains its-operativeness as long as the harris operatively disposed. Preferablyand-as shown, the bar 5l is formed with telescopically engaged` sectionshaving .a compression ber 5.6' pivoted to the lower face of the plate 44for movement thereover. The member 5 it 1s noted, is provided ad]acentits free and forward end witha lateral extension 57 having an edge 58thereof arranged to be swung..

into position against the front side of the bar end portion 49 when thelatter is engaged in the notch 48. The bar portion 49 is provided with anotch 59 for the reception of the edge 58 whereby engagement of saidedge in the notch 59 will prevent an upward displacement of the bar end.The member 56 is urged to retain its operative position by the actionof'a tenson spring 61 suitably connected between it and the plate 44anda stop 62 is provided on the plate 44 against which the member 56 isarranged to engage for disposing it in operative relation to lthe .notch59 when the bar portion 47 is removed therefrom. The forward edge ofthemember 56 and its extension 57 are obliquely related to the longitudinnal aXis of the carriage nfhereby a bar end 49 held in the path ofmovement thereof may deflect the member for entering and becomingimprisoned in the notch 59.

Means are provided for effecting an automatic release of a bar 48 'froma carriage 39 when the exit end of a path portion reached, and as shown,such means comprise trip members 63 and 64 adjacent the guideway 29. Thetrip member 63)` it is noted, is arranged to engage the catch 56 fordisposing it in inoperative position, and while the member 56, is sodisposed, the trip member 64 is arranged to effect a lifting of the barportion 49 from the notch 48. As shown, the lower side of the catchmember 56 is notched upwardly and from the front end thereofto define asurface 65, which, when the member is operatively disposed, is verticaland is oblique to the line of movement of the carriage and member, whilethe trip member 63 comprises a plate having an upper face portion 66-engageable against and along the surface 65 for forcing the member 56out ofis operative position while engaged therew' ',he trip member 64 itis noted` comin, ....es a plate providing an Aupper inclined edge 6'?against which a pin `68 provided on the draw-bar is arranged to engagelfor lifting the bar from its engagement with the carriage while thecatch memthereto but with their power chain,

ber 56.15 inoperatively. dieposedy Afurther manual lifting ofthe barreleases the bar Vhooli .52 and the bar drops from the axle.

The draw, orpower chains '28, it is noted, are preferably propelledbymeans of. chains 69 operating therebelow in parallelrelation axes of`bending horizontal whereby theyrmay gradually approach and recede fromthe power chains, Extensions 71 are providedoncertain links same as arethecarriages on the power chains, thev relations preferably being suchthat at least two ofthe extensions 7 1 will be engaged behind' theAprotruding portions ofthe Vplates Chains 69.. g

I claimt 1f 1 l l f-.

f 1.1i; a device `ofthe .character described, meansproviding aA curvedguideway yfor a power chaim'acliain mounted in said guideway an l havingthelinls thereof pivotedjlfor riagcs: on certain of ysaidlinks'providing a rolling .support for-.the (chain in thel guideway, andmeans extending laterallyoutwardly from one side of one.ofisaidcarriagesproviding for operatively connecting the `cha-in withan,objecttohemovedin apath substantially corresponding to 'that ofthe.Chain...

f ,gf 2. ln a device of .the "character '.describe'd, means providing..a. curved, gnidew ay. for 'a a; chain mountedA in said guideway andhaving the links;y thereof. pivotally connected by vertically` disposedvlink .pins7 rollers on certainof said link pins f0r en gagement l alongthe iinner side of said, guideway, and -.means, projecting Y laterally?outwardly from said .chainbeyond and beneath andv one side ofisaidgnideway and v providing for operatively connecting the chainwithan ob]ect to be moved thereby.r 3. In combination with a path over which.vehicles `are"arranged to be drawn ,means providing a .dragchain'.guideway f. and snpport extending 'alongthe path', a chann a carriageons'aid chainY for-supporting the chain in thev gmdeway, a draw-bar forconnecting said carriage with a vehicle, and

a horizontally directed 4lateral extension. of said carriagearrangedto-be releasablyen gaged bythedraw-baryf y 4. In combinationwith a curved path on a surfacevover which vehicles Vare arranged to bedrawn in supported relation, means providim),` apower chainguideway:and-support extendingalong the' path andv below the plane :ofthel'ioor, a power propelled chain. in `said v,guideway having forrelative 4movement abouta lvertical: axis. a

the links thereof vrpivo'ted draw-barfor. connecting said `carriagijewith aV vehicle, and a .horizontally vdirectedlateral of the l V'chains69,.said extensionsbeing spacedthe y ,Jo relative movement about'vertical axes, carlli) extension of rsaid carriage arranged to ybe re-Vleasably engaged by the draw-bar.

5. Ina device ofthe character described, means providing a horizontallydisposed curved guideway for a chain, and a power propelled chainengaged in said guidewayfor movement therethrough, thelinks ofV saidchain comprising superposed and" spaced members connected'tov each otherand toadj eratively disposing a pathway over which objects may be'moved,Y

j drivenchain,

jacent links by means of pivot pins, a carriage for the'chain fixed tothe members of -a linkand providingan anti-friction support vfor thelink-in the guideway, means closing saidguideway atthe top thereof, adrag link for connection to said carriage, and means Vforreleasablysecuring said drag link to the carriage. 1 *6.In combination,

bar to the chain comprising alateraljextenzsion of a chain linkproviding a notch at-the forward edge thereof for engaging said bar, adetent member carried on said extension and engageable' with said barfor locking the same againstremoval from the notch, andvmeansvyieldingly urging said member to retain an operative engagementwith said bar.

V'7. YIn apdevi'ce of the' character described, means'providing aguideway 'fora power chain,

Aa drag bar,'a power x and means V`for, connecting the scribed, apathway 'over which objects may be a power driven chain engaged in saidi guideway,adrag bar,'means for connecting the lb'ar tothe chaincomprising aV lateral extension ofA av chain link providing a notch atthe forward edge thereof for engaging said b ar,a detent n the' sameagainst` removalv from the notch, Vmeans yieldinglyurging said membervtoretain an operative engagement with said bar, means at a point of fsaid member,'and means operative' to remove the bar fromthe notch whilethe; preceding means' is inoperative.

8; Inf-'combination witha path'over which j objects are to bemoved,means providing a drag chain guideway and support beneathV said path, apower operated chain, means for supporting the chain in ythe guid'ewayVtherefoig'said means extending over and covI ering the upper side ofsaid chain, and means disposed on oneside of the chain and beneath saidguideway and providing for operative connection of the chain with theobject to be moved over said path. v

`9, In apparatus of the character described an inverted channel shapedguide following the pathway, tracks within and on opposite sides of saidguide', a power chain disposed in said guide, rollers on said chainrespectively engaged with the upper sides and the opposed sides of saidtracks, and means providing for operatively connect ject to be-movedover said pathway.

5 l0. In" apparatus Vof the characterY desaid" guideway'for inopng thechain withy an obl member carried on said4 exteni sion and engageablewlthfsaid bar for lockingV guide, a power chain,-

ioo

